Tonight, California Governor Gavin Newsom will deliver a critical address to the state and nation at approximately 6:30 PM PT, focusing on President Donald Trump’s controversial deployment of federal forces in Los Angeles. The speech, broadcast exclusively on the MeidasTouch channel, responds to what Newsom and state officials have called an illegal militarization of the city, escalating tensions amid protests over federal immigration enforcement actions. This move has sparked widespread debate, with Newsom accusing Trump of undermining democracy and state sovereignty.
The controversy stems from Trump’s decision to federalize 2,000 California National Guard troops without Governor Newsom’s consent, followed by an additional 2,000 troops and 700 active-duty Marines to quell protests sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Newsom, alongside Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the deployment violates the U.S. Constitution and the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits federal military involvement in civilian law enforcement. The lawsuit claims the federalization of the National Guard infringes on California’s authority, as federal law requires gubernatorial consent for such actions, which was not sought.
Protests erupted in Los Angeles following ICE operations that targeted communities, including the arrest of individuals without criminal records, inflaming local tensions. Newsom contends that Trump’s actions have exacerbated unrest, with the presence of military personnel leading to larger demonstrations, growing from 250 to over 3,000 protesters after the Guard’s deployment. The governor has accused Trump of manufacturing chaos for political gain, describing the move as “an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.” In response, California has surged 800 state and local law enforcement officers to manage the situation and “clean up Trump’s mess.”
Democratic leaders, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the Democratic Governors Association, have condemned the deployment as an abuse of power, arguing it undermines local authority and escalates tensions unnecessarily. Meanwhile, Trump and administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, defend the move, claiming it restores order. Newsom’s address is expected to rally support for state sovereignty and call for the immediate withdrawal of federal forces, framing the issue as a broader threat to democratic principles. The speech aims to unify Californians and others nationwide in opposition to what Newsom describes as reckless federal overreach.
